Food on Friday #1 - Flourless Cake

- I am well aware I post quite a few of my adventures in the kitchen to my blog!

- Although I don't want this to turn into an entirely food obsessed blog, I still like to share my escapades! Therefore I thought I would start "Food on Friday" in order to share recipes!

 - As many of you who have been reading for a while may know, I have quite a few health problems! haha! - one of the newest dilemmas for me to overcome has been the strict dietary requirements, I've had to adapt the way I cook to suit my needs, so here is a recipe for a flourless cake, which just so happens to be very low-carb aswell!

 recipe found here.

   

I took 1/2 cup butter and softened in the microwave

4 1/2 ounces almond flour were then whizzed in the food processor with 1/4 cup dessicated coconut. 

I then added 1 1/4 cup granular Splenda (or equivalent of sugar if needed)

Stir in 1 beaten egg 

Then add 1 tablespoon lemon zest, from one large lemon!,1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence,1/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Spread into a baking tin lined & greased with tin-foil 

( I used the small IKEA roasting tin- you all know this is my favourite tin ever!! seriously, buy one) 

Bake at 160ºC for 15-20 minutes. 

*These keep really well in the fridge and also freeze well

 

Store Lovin' #5 18 AND EAST

- I haven't done this in a while, probably because I have been trying to not buy things, soo. . that's going well *ahem*

- I've been "tidying" my room. i.e. taking apart my 6 (YES 6!!) wardrobes and sorting out all of my tat! (I'd just like to add that three of my wardrobes actually contain books, as I put all of my books on bookcase-like shelves within my wardrobes, one of them contains make-up/hair/toiletries and only two contain clothes and shoes, it's not THAT ridiculous!!)*

 - during this quest I began to colour co-ordinate my clothes! - blame my mother, she does it! - which made it quite easy to see exactly the sort of clothes I wear on a daily basis! I knew I shopped at the same shops over and over and over (and over and over. . . .) again without even realising.

 - One brand I like, subconsciously, is 18 AND EAST, I don't even intend to buy clothes from them, but, I love them, as do some of the TOWIE stars. If it's good enough for Essex, it's good enough for me! - So I just thought I would share, for those who have never heard of the brand.

WEBSITE . . TWITTER . . BLOG . . SHOP

- I love the patterns of the cloth, I love the shapes they make.

- One of the dresses I own is actually one of my favourites! - maybe because it was the dress I wore on my first date with the man, maybe because it is a really well made dress, a really well designed dress, comfortable and flattering. Let me tell you, actually I probably don't need to, clothes that do all that are extrememly hard to come by!

- I highly suggest you take a gander at their site, follow them on twitter, and take a peak at their blog, they are getting some pretty good press coverage so they are bound to blow up soon!

- I realise this sounds like I'm trying to advertise them! haha, I'm not I promise, all my own opinions! Perhaps I just write like I'm trying to advertise everything!

 * I'm making excuses!


 

1 :1 :1 Coconut Creams

- It's been a while. Life always seems to get in the way.

- I'm currently employed on a 0-hours contract (to enable me to find a new job), but it has left me with quite a bit more time on my hands than I typically like.

 - I felt like sharing something nice, sweet, and summery! So here you go, coconut creams, with blueberries or rhubarb (It's recently been brought to my attention that there is no rhubarb in America?)

- Inspired by this Good Food recipe

- I speak for no one but myself when I say, I really love reading through people's recipe's posted online, but  I never really get inspired unless I see the steps (That's why I always put them in, when I can!)

1. Start by dissolving 2 tbsps of powdered gelatine in 2 tbsps of boiling water (you can use leaf gelatine, but I've never done so, I believe it works on the same principles, 2 sheets in 2tbsps of cold water, but don't hold me to it!) 

2. In a pan bring to the boil 200ml of double cream and 400ml of skimmed milk, add 1 tbsp of coconut milk powder (just one of those things we always have lying around! - but you can do it with coconut milk!)

3. Add a few drops of vanilla extract and the now-soaked gelatine

4. let cool slightly before decanting into serving glasses ( I used these colourful cocktail glasses, because they are of a good size - and they look super pretty!)

5. While the creams are in the fridge setting, brew a cup of herbal tea! (This is cranberry & orange) 

This step is not desperately needed, I was just faffing now!

6. Measure out 2 tbsps of blueberries (This is VERY approximate,  I just bashed a few into a ramakin!, you could use frozen too)

7. Take a bit of you tea, and bathe the blueberries!

8. Microwave for a minute! (Full power 750mw)

9. Take some rhubarb and slice into inch long segments (America : Take note!)

10. Heat over a low heat with a splash of water until tender - add sugar to taste (or, sweetner : whatever!)

(Forced, or early rhubarb is the pinkest - therefore the prettiest, it is also slightly sweeter)

Spoon the compote's on top of the now set creams

Refridgerate a little more before serving

Enjoy!